Posted: 1/15/03

Skate around lakes is an adventure for Lichtscheidl

Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Growing up a mere five blocks from the west shore of First Lake here, DeDe Lichtscheidl often skated on the lake ice as a kid. Sheís often wondered what it would be like and what it would take to skate around the entire shoreline of the chain of lakes. Now she knows. On a bone-chilling winter day last Friday, the Forest Lake woman completed the 10-mile plus trek, bucking gusty northwest winds that drove the wind chill factor well below zero.

Nine days shy of her 63rd birthday on Jan. 19, Lichtscheidl said the skate was something she has long wanted to attempt. But during her lifetime, there have not been many opportunities when the lake ice is snow free.

ìI wanted to do this for my 63rd birthday,î Lichtscheidl said following her skate. ìIíve been here all my life and this was something I wanted to do.î

This winter, with no measurable snow on the ground, the skate became possible.

Lichtscheidl said the outing was not overly physically taxing, but there were hurdles to overcome. The gusty winds easily picked up a light coating of snow that had fallen overnight, causing visibility problems, she said.

ìWhen I first started, I thought there was no way I could do it,î Lichtscheidl said. ìThere were white-outs. I couldnít see the ice.î

Lichtscheidl left her home on Second Lake at 8:35 a.m. battling strong head winds. There was some bumpy ice and patches of snow, but for the most part Lichtscheidl says she found the going good.

She used caution in both crossings of the narrows between First and Second lakes and stayed a safe distance from the open water on First Lake. Once she reached the north shore, she found some buffer from the winds. Only when she hit the home stretch on Third and Second lakes did the wind become a burden.

As a precaution, DeDeís husband, Fran, followed in his pickup truck. Both had two-way radios in the event of an emergency.

ìI didnít get cold,î Lichtscheidl said. ìYour body is working.î

Still, Lichtscheidl says, she took steps to deal with the weather. She put on long underwear, one pair of socks, ski pants and vest that covered a turtleneck and a wool sweater. Along with a wool stocking cap, a neck-up provided protection for her face.

When she pulled up at home at the end of the skate, she had been on the ice for two hours and 35 minutes.

The shoreline distance is 12.5 miles, according to Warren Parsons of Forest Lake who has done extensive research on the lake and its depth.

Loves to skate

As a kid growing up in Forest Lake, the former DeDe Handrum always loved to skate. Most of her early figure skating was on the community rink that was located just west of what is today the Central Learning Center.

There was always the appeal of the lake, Lichtscheidl recalls.

In her married life today, the Lichtscheidls have raised a family of six kids and have 11 grandchildren. She also skis and for many years was involved with ski patrol duty.

The couple and their family owns Forest Lake Cycle and Skate and the recreational joy of skating is something she promotes in her private and business life.

The Lichtscheidl home on Hilo Avenue in Forest Lake provides a perfect nature-made skating rink and Lichtscheidl has returned to the ice more and more in recent years.

But never with the challenge that she faced last Friday. ìIt was a real adventure because the weather was so turbulent,î she said.

She admits she could have picked a better day, weather wise, for the skate, but with the uncertainty of a Minnesota winter in the back of her mind, she took on the challenge on Friday, strong winds and cold temperatures aside.

During the skate she used caution and sacrificed style and grace when discretion was needed. The personal achievement was the goal and Lichtscheidl says she is tempted to do it again.

ìThe ice is still very beautiful,î she said. ìI would do it again. It was really fun.î

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